Latest News Articles by Laura Chesters
Amber continues to shine in the saleroom
23 May 2017The price of amber necklaces soared in 2013 and top prices are still being achieved at auction, often valuing the natural untreated beads at twice that of 24ct gold.
Copy of Martin Luther’s ‘95 Theses’ sells at auction in Germany
23 May 2017Five hundred years after it was nailed to a church door, a copy of Martin Luther’s ‘95 Theses’ was hammered down at a German auction at €1.1m.
Car boot sale £10 diamond ring could fetch £350,000 at auction
22 May 2017A ring bought at a car boot sale for £10 in the 1980s has been estimated at £250,000-350,000 and is heading to a Sotheby’s auction.
Taking the chains off art loans
22 May 2017The UK’s complex art-lending scene is a pale shadow of its US counterpart. However, a new law could change all that – if loans against art works can be registered.
No mention of ivory in Tory manifesto
22 May 2017The Conservative Party has omitted any mention of ivory in its 2017 manifesto published last week, giving hope an uncompromising ban on the trade will not be introduced.
Flat Iron Square vintage market extends joint venture with Royal Horticultural Society
20 May 2017A vintage Sunday market in Southwark has extended its tie-up with the Royal Horticultural Society to two further events this year.
Butchoff Antiques teams up with fellow dealers to host evening exhibition of Indian artworks
19 May 2017Kensington Church Street dealer Butchoff Antiques hosted an exhibition of Indian artworks to celebrate the UK India Year of Culture, which was launched by The British Council and the Indian High Commission earlier this year.
Geneva is next stop for art and design fair PAD
19 May 2017Design fair PAD is to expand to Switzerland with a new event planned for next year.
Civil War painting by William Dobson acquired by Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum
17 May 2017A painting by William Dobson revealing Oxford’s role in the English Civil War has been acquired by the university’s Ashmolean Museum.
Former environment minister Lord de Mauley to join LAPADA as chairman
17 May 2017Conservative peer and former environment minister Lord de Mauley is to become chairman of LAPADA, the Association of Art & Antiques Dealers.
Labour manifesto promises a total ban on trade in ivory
16 May 2017The Labour Party Manifesto 2017 has called for a total ban on the trade of ivory.
‘Most valuable Disneyland artefact ever offered at auction’ heads to Californian saleroom
15 May 2017More than 1000 Disneyland props and souvenirs are heading to auction in California next month.
Rolex record set at Phillips auction for Vietnamese Emperor's watch
15 May 2017A new record has been set for a rare Rolex watch once owned by the last Emperor of Vietnam, Bao Dai.
New owner of Dreweatts plans to run auction business day-to-day
15 May 2017The new boss of Dreweatts says he sees “huge potential” for the saleroom as it reverts to owner-management focused on its headquarters in Newbury.
No regrets as Stanley Gibbons breaks up Interiors unit
15 May 2017Back in 2013 and with great fanfare, stamp dealership Stanley Gibbons revealed to the stock market that it had bought a group of art, antiques and collectables specialists.
Tory party expected to water down plans for total ivory ban
15 May 2017The Conservative Party is expected to rethink its previous pledge for a ‘total ban’ on ivory sales in its election manifesto, due for publication this week.
Firm seeks investment for appliance of science
15 May 2017Art Analysis and Research is looking for investment to meet what it says is a growing demand for science-based research from auction houses, dealers and collectors.
Bonhams hosts exhibition of Erté’s designs from Glyndebourne Opera
13 May 2017Set and costume designs by artist Erté for the 1980 Glyndebourne Opera production of 'Der Rosenkavalier' are to go on display at auction house Bonhams this month.
JK Rowling joins police appeal to find stolen Harry Potter prequel
12 May 2017JK Rowling and the West Midlands Police have issued an appeal to find a stolen handwritten Harry Potter prequel.
Jackie Kennedy’s watch and painting head to auction in New York
12 May 2017Jackie Kennedy’s Cartier watch and a rediscovered painting are on offer as part of Christie’s 'Rare Watches and American Icons' sale in New York.